TWO FULL DAYS WITH OUR GUIDES

Get ready for crisp cool air mornings and the smell of autumn, as we tour the forests of Northeastern Illinois.

A seasonal landscape, where vast tracks of color flush red, yellow and autumn bronze, in the valley of the DesPlaines. A regional ride through the woods and prairies that lie beyond Chicago. But before we get there… house pumpkins, gourds, and cider fill the north shore communities, as we travel north and feast our eyes upon architectural masterpieces.

Learn about the towns, the lay of the land, and the unique ecosystems along the way, as we drop knowledge on top of your noggins at each break point.

We’ll ride to and camp on the youngest land in the state at Illinois Beach State Park, discover the Dead River, go on a guided Nature walk, and learn what the Chicago area looked like before European settlement. And what better way to end our first day of riding than to relax around a campfire, on a cool night with warm apple cider on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Fall Foliage. Full Day in The Woods. A quick visit in Chicago Botanical Gardens on Day 2. Plus so much more…

This is not an out and back route but a true bike loop starting at a Chicago local bike shop, to the Wisconsin State Line, through the Valley of Des Plaines, and back to the city metropolis Chicago. Gather some friends, check out the itinerary, and let’s have a good time.

Gather some friends, check out the Itinerary down below, and let’s have a good time.

ABOUT US

This is not your average group bike ride. At each break point and along the way, our Guides will immerse and educate in the history, geography, architecture and the uniquely beautiful natural habitats and ecosystems of North Eastern Illinois. Our groups are small and personable to ensure the knowledge of the land is passed on.

What is Bike Camping? It’s where you stay overnight in a tent by Bike.

You Choose- Camp | Hotel | Food

Costs: If you choose to camp it's included in the registration just bring your own tent and sleeping gear

For the Hotel in the State Park you pay and book separately, then register with us.

You pay for lunch at the resturants estimated to be $25 dollars for the weekend or bring your own lunches. Hint- The food is good at the resturants and that means less weight on your pack.

Dinner, Breakfast, cider, and fire snacks are all included and provided in registration.

About Our Tour Guides:

-They will have A bike tool kit, an air pump, a presta/schrader valve adapter, tire lever, chain breaker, and a crescent wrench (for those older bikes), a multi-toolkit, lights and emergency packet. Our guides will help you with any needed repairs. *If you have any of the above items please bring them along at your own convenience.

They have setup multiple break points along the way in all the right places to ensure you can go the distance. So if this is your first time out on a long ride.... You’ll be surprised on far you can actually go. If you feel like you can't make it there are always train stations along the way that can bring you back home to Chicago.

WHAT TO BRING

Required Items

Your bike!

Tent/Camping Gear (or not if you staying at the hotel)

Cash/Debit/Credit Card for food and your drinks

Photo I.D and Emergency contact Info

Two spare inner tubes

Water bottle

Bike LIGHTS, front and rear

Lock for your bike

High Energy Snacks

Personal Items- There are showers at the campsites so bring your own soap, small towel and deodorant. If you are staying overnight.

Helmet- Please bring one

GENERAL TIPS

Bike rack

We suggest to purchase a back rack if you do not have one already. A bike back rack will improve this trip and any future riding you do on your own. A bike rack will also keep the weight off your shoulders. Stop in your local bike shop to help get your bike geared up.

Keep it light and keep it tight!

Secure your belongings and keep highly used items accessible when packing. Light weight usually makes for a more enjoyable ride; So don’t bring your living room furniture on the ride. And Avoid dangling straps, they can get entangled in the wheels and cause an accident; Be smart and protect your safety.

​Dress for the season and dress in layers. In the spring and fall the outside temps may be great to wear a T-shirt but when biking the wind can make your chest, hands, and fingers cold. Bring a pair of gloves and a sweater/windbreaker if need be. If a little rain is in the forecast bring a rain jacket. Don’t be afraid of the rain!!! Some the best views is when a storm is on the horizon. If it gets intense there are shelters along the way to sit it out for the moment.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can anyone ride your trip?

Yes! It is a challenge. Just about anyone who has ridden a bike for a day can do the tour. You should build up your riding distance/endurance to at least 40 miles. Not sure you can ride it? Check out other people who completed the trail here

What kind of bike do I need?

It's really up to you. But we recommend a Touring, Road, Urban or Hybrid bike. These types of bikes make for a more comfortable ride. Attaching a bike rack will help carry your daily supplies and keep weight off your shoulders.

Do you rent bicycles out to the public?

At the moment no. Our goal as we continue to grow we will be able to provide bicycles for participants.

What if I get tired?

We champion perseverance and the challenge. We encourage to push on, the reward of completion is great. But if turning around is an absolute must, there is always a train station relatively close by throughout the entirety of the tours.

What should I bring for the bike trip?​

Always bring two spare inner tubes (and a bike tool kit if you have one). Dress for the season, during spring and fall make sure to bring gloves for your hands and layer your clothing. Even when the weather is nice, when riding your bike the wind can make you chilly really quick.

What happens if it rains, is the event cancelled?

No. We still ride if there is rain. Some of the best views are after a rain storm. Though safety is our top priority. So if there is extreme severe weather we will break and wait it out in a provided shelter, then continue to our destination.

How fast do you Ride? What is the pace of your tours?

The pace we ride at is around 12 miles per hour. This is to accommodate everyone riding the tour, to be able to take in all the views and to be able to ride a second day. You have to remember their is a second day and you should pace yourself. (We are bikers but we are not running a tour de france).

What happens if I'm too slow? What happens if I'm too Fast?

We ride together as a group. We do not leave anybody behind. A guide will always be riding at the back and at the front.

CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY

Individual/Participant Cancellations: No Refunds | We are a small organization and due to the small group size of our rides, a ticket cancellation/no show has a real impact into the planning of the tour and as such, we cannot provide any refunds for a participant cancellation. By registering you acknowledge and agree there will not be a refund if you cancel or do not show up for the event.

Organizer Cancellation: Full Refund | Nobody wants an event to be cancelled. But in the very rare case the organizer does cancel the event at their discretion due to unforeseen circumstances, then registered participants will receive a full refund (excluding the small eventbrite processing fee). To date this organizer has never cancelled an event.

Weather and Rain: We do not cancel an event for rain or a storm. We ride rain or shine. Understand that Chicago weather is typically passing, if it gets intense we will wait it out in a provided shelter then continue biking. FYI-Some of the best views and greenery are after a rain storm.

ABOUT US

We're the Out Our Front Door Organization. A bike camping community for Chicagoland.

We provide exploratory adventures by immersing and educating in the history, architecture and the uniquely beautiful natural habitats of the Lower Lake Michigan Basin Area, including Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan.